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Post by pellius on Apr 5, 2016 7:25:20 GMT
Hello. My name is Scott and I live in the US. This is my first post, so I hope the community will be patient if I violate any local norms or rules.
First, I'm not an expert. My knowledge is largely based on Internet research. Anyway, I recently received my first sword.
This site has been quite a resource to me, so I wanted to add a little information about my sword in the hope that others might find it useful. Eventually, I might attempt a full review with pictures and such, but...baby steps first.
Two issues close to my heart are 1) whether a particular vendor is reliable, and 2) whether a particular sword is useful for practice and cutting - an issue that seems to frequently include extended discussions regarding the sword's tang.
My sword was a gift, so I don't have all the information I might want. I don't know how much it cost, for example. I do know that the vendor was an eBay vendor using the name "swords001." The sword was advertised as a Qing Dao one hand saber suitable for training.
The sword arrived in a timely manner packed in styrofoam. It looked exactly like the photos in the eBay ad. To my untrained eye, it was gorgeous.
Anyway, Swords001 indicated that my new sword was suitable for practice and cutting. Armed with the ubiquitous Internet warnings of rat tail tangs and sword-like objects, and knowing I would indeed be practicing with this sword, I disassembled it to have a look at the tang.
In short, it was exactly as advertised. The tang was the same width as the blade (about 1/4 inch), a little over 1/2 inch tall, and about 8 inches long. It terminated in a threaded piece very securely welded to it. The shoulders of the tang were nicely rounded, and the fit of the handle and hardware was tight and solid. (Eventually, if I figure out how, I'll post pictures.) Also, the Damascus style folded blade was beautiful with a very evident differential hardened edge. Swords001 gave a model number (but no maker info) that corresponded to a 1060 high carbon steel blade. The sword was pretty sharp (would cut paper, but would not shave).
The other info I have on the sword comes from the shipping label. It's a Shirly sword manufactured in LongQuan.
Anyway, I hope this info is useful.
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Post by Croccifixio on Apr 5, 2016 9:05:12 GMT
Hi Scott. Thanks for the info! Just to be sure, I'd add some epoxy in that tang unless you want to be able to customize it later, just to be sure.
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Post by pellius on Apr 5, 2016 12:26:06 GMT
When I had it apart, I strongly considered doing exactly that. I also thought about filling the brass pommel cap. It would've secured it all nicely, and would've moved the point of balance back from its (whopping) 7.25 inches from the guard.
There is a pretty decent chance I will eventually (years in the future) seek out a professional to craft a cord-wound grip. The current grip is a nice functional hardwood that matches the sheath. Of course, since I gorilla glued the pommel cap on, I might have to destroy the grip to get it off again.
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Post by Jayhawk on Apr 5, 2016 13:37:05 GMT
Pics please! Sounds a lot like my Sword N Armory Qing Dao, except mine is not Damascus. Mine is a great cutter, by I also had to glue on the pommel cap. You can cut off the gorilla glue wit an exact knife if needed...I did to tighten the nut once and moved to two small brass nails holding the cap on instead.
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Post by pellius on Apr 5, 2016 14:19:01 GMT
I looked up the Sword N Armory quin dao. Mine is similar in appearance. Best I can tell, the design is that of an early-to-mid 1800's Chinese cavalry or military officer sword.
Mine also lacks the narrow cross section and widening profile (the shape that I so frequently saw in Kung Fu movies) that apparently was a later civilian development after the decline of armor.
I considered using a nice wood screw to secure the pommel cap, but I couldn't bring myself to start drilling holes in my new sword's hardware. I may eventually purchase one or more matching hardwood grips and pommel caps from the vendor (if possible). Then I can modify without fear.
The sword was intended to be a useful lifelong practice weapon. My primary concern was the quality of the blade. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality, beauty and detail of the hardware.
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Post by pellius on Apr 5, 2016 14:46:56 GMT
Thanks for the feedback. I'll post pictures once I figure out how.
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Post by pellius on Apr 5, 2016 17:25:49 GMT
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Post by foxmartialarts on Apr 6, 2016 13:06:06 GMT
Very nice looking sword! I love this style of dao...I have the Dynasty Forge liuyedao (left) and Iron Tiger Forge yanmodao (right) There's just something pleasing about the style.  |
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Post by pellius on Apr 6, 2016 14:00:38 GMT
Wow. Those swords look amazing. Of all the nice details, my personal favorite has to be the cord-wrapped grips. Very impressive.
Yeah, I have always thought that this style sword was the pinnacle of the sword aesthetic. The organic shape is just soooo appealing to me. I also happen to prefer single-hand sword techniques/form sets.
I appreciate the value and beauty of various other styles, especially medieval and Renaissance European swords and of course the katana. But for me, if I could have only one sword (which I do), a Qing dao would have to be my pick.
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Post by newfoundviking on Apr 7, 2016 6:31:39 GMT
Looks like a 6mm tang, I've broken a few 6mm welded on thread tangs, mostly from bad welds. Yours looks ok.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 7, 2016 7:03:51 GMT
When I had it apart, I strongly considered doing exactly that. I also thought about filling the brass pommel cap. It would've secured it all nicely, and would've moved the point of balance back from its (whopping) 7.25 inches from the guard. Normal enough POB for a dao. How heavy is it? There is a pretty decent chance I will eventually (years in the future) seek out a professional to craft a cord-wound grip. The current grip is a nice functional hardwood that matches the sheath. Of course, since I gorilla glued the pommel cap on, I might have to destroy the grip to get it off again. A Chinese-style cord wrap isn't too hard. Peter Dekker has a nice tutorial with clear photos at mandarinmansion.com/restoration/grip-wrapping |
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Post by Jayhawk on Apr 7, 2016 11:07:50 GMT
Ditto to what Timo said...the dadao in my avatar was done by me using Peter's guide. It just takes time, but it is totally doable.
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Post by pellius on Apr 7, 2016 12:34:39 GMT
I must admit that I have very selfishly consumed a lot of info from the forum without offering much in return, so I haven't figured out how to quote yet. (I'll keep working on it.)
Some threads on the forum have talked about welded tang bolts. The consensus seems to be what Newfoundviking said - it's okay so long as it's done well. I appreciate someone with a better eye and more experience eyeballing my setup. I may do a little backyard cutting, but my deep seated fear is that the blade might break in the middle of a form set at the apogee of a smart cut, and watching the blade go rogue drone on other members of the class.
1163g (2.56 pounds) is the weight of the sword given by the seller. I don't have an immediate way to check that, but it sounds right. More digging seems to indicate a POB as much as 8 inches is within normal bounds. Again, thanks to all the members who post so much useful info.
I checked out the how-to cord wrap and the many awesome pics on mandarin mansion. Wow, what a great site. I even did a "quick" wrap on my own sword with paracord I happened to have on hand. No pics because, while the weave went okay, it was impossible to get the round plastic tight enough to not slip. Thanks for the info and encouragement. If I can do a decent wrap, I'll post a pic.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Apr 7, 2016 14:36:02 GMT
..., so I haven't figured out how to quote yet. (I'll keep working on it.) Having logged in first, view the post from which you want the quote. In the upper right corner there is a box stating “Quote”, click it. What you wish to quote from will appear in a rectangular box, it is possible to delete sections of the quote, place the cursor below the box to add your thoughts. |
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Post by pellius on Apr 7, 2016 14:47:18 GMT
I'm attempting this with an iPhone... ..., so I haven't figured out how to quote yet. (I'll keep working on it.) Having logged in first, view the post from which you want the quote. In the upper right corner there is a box stating “Quote”, click it. What you wish to quote from will appear in a rectangular box, it is possible to delete sections of the quote, place the cursor below the box to add your thoughts. Thanks. |
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Apr 7, 2016 20:35:46 GMT
I checked out the how-to cord wrap and the many awesome pics on mandarin mansion. Wow, what a great site. I even did a "quick" wrap on my own sword with paracord I happened to have on hand. No pics because, while the weave went okay, it was impossible to get the round plastic tight enough to not slip. Thanks for the info and encouragement. If I can do a decent wrap, I'll post a pic. Use flat cord (or cored cord you can de-core and turn flat). I'd go natural fibre (cotton, hemp, silk). Don't do this:  That's a katana tsuka wrapped Chinese-style, with thin leather thong. Took far too long, wanders about (could have been avoided by taking even longer), thong kept breaking (might have been avoidable by taking even longer), etc. |
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Post by pellius on Apr 7, 2016 20:52:55 GMT
Timo - I should've thought to de-core the paracord before trying a weave. As plainly obvious as it seems, I was so excited to try out my newly discovered step-by-step instructions (and because it was getting late), it just didn't cross my mind.
Jayhawk actually mentioned that in another thread, and it was suddenly I'm-an-idiot-face palm time for me.
Anyway, I would love to use a nice flat braided earth tone synthetic silk cord, but I have braided paracord on hand just waiting to be of service.
*edited with apology*
One quick tidbit, by the way. Huge thanks to Peter Dekker / Mandarin Mansion for sharing so much info. My small contribution - if your wood grip is a basic/functional (i.e., inexpensive) one like mine, don't use tape to anchor the loops as Peter suggests. I tried a tiny bit of tape on an inconspicuous spot, and it lifted the color right off the grip. I went with rubber bands.
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Post by pellius on Apr 8, 2016 3:13:13 GMT
Well, my second attempt to wrap (this time with a flat profile de-cored paracord) was indeed a failure. (Loose and asymmetrical, to put it kindly.)
I must apologize for my negative comment about Timo's katana wrap. Doing this weave on a two hand grip with a small cross-section fragile leather cord must have been a dramatic achievement in patience and perseverance.
While exploring this site, I recently found the thread dedicated to grip projects, so I'll share my...uh...character building experiences there.
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pgandy
Moderator
Senior Forumite
Posts: 10,296
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Post by pgandy on Apr 8, 2016 7:14:04 GMT
Please keep your attempts coming. You are doing something that I have been putting off out of fear but one day will to do it or find someone for the job.
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Post by pellius on Apr 11, 2016 15:13:57 GMT
I posted a few more details on the Customization/Grip thread, but below is a pic of my third wrap attempt. I used a rubber base and de-cored paracord. The result was a nice tight weave on a grip that was too large for my hand. Also, the humble nature of the materials used was pretty evident. The project was rewarding and enjoyable, though, and (thankfully) reversible.  |
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